"One of them died!?" Ling Feng'er couldn't believe Ling Yun's words, "That's impossible!"
"It's the truth." Ling Yun sighed.
"Who was it?" She asked.
As far as she knew, Gao Xuan became one of the powerful figures in the Lower Heavens, and the other one, Fang Yunru, challenged Wang Yao in the Grand Spirit Hunt for the chance to participate in the Royal Bloodline Trial.
How could it be possible that one of them is already dead!?
Ling Yun didn't answer her query.
"It's not about who died," He said, "It's about who killed him."
"What do you mean?" She couldn't help but ask.
"Well, it was Princess Xin who conspired to kill my friend." Ling Yun closed his eyes and added, "I saw it with my own eyes."
"So the remaining two of you are planning to take down the Princess?" Ling Feng'er scratched her chin.
"You can say that," Ling Yun nodded, "But the thing is, only I am trying to take down the Princess. No one else knows about the death; only the very close family members are aware of this fact."
"Hm…" Ling Feng'er frowned, "Not even your other surviving best friend?"
"Not even him," Ling Yun shook his head, "I would have told him, but someone stopped him. I am hiding it for his security. We don't want the 'competition' among ourselves to die down; after all, the Royal Bloodline Trial can turn a carp into a dragon!"
"Hm, I get it now." Ling Feng'er nodded, "But I don't think your chances of success are very high."
"Hm? Why?" Ling Yun was a bit taken aback by this.
"Well, because, you… how should I put it… yeah, you aren't interesting enough."
"I am not interesting enough…?" Ling Yun felt offended, "What's not interesting about me? I have the looks; I have the background; I have the talent…."
"Everyone is talented, Ling Yun." Ling Feng'er replied, "but only those who work hard on their talents succeed."
"I don't understand…. Are you saying I don't work hard?"
"No, I am saying you don't work hard enough."
"...There is no one in my generation who can match my mastery on the Array!"
"..." Ling Feng'er raised her right eyebrow.
"Uh… I mean in the Lower Heavens." Ling Yun added some conditions to his claim.
Ling Feng'er exhaled, "Ling Yun, you need to work hard. Your talent is average at best average. You will improve if you make proper use of your talent."
"And how will I do that?"
"Why fear when I am here?" Ling Feng'er smiled.
"You? Weren't you planning to leave after a few days?" Ling Yun frowned as they stepped in the main courtyard.
"I was," Ling Feng'er nodded, "But I have changed my plans."
A scene of a young couple eating a burger in the Purple Spring Garden appeared in her mind.
She narrowed her eyes and said, "I have a few accounts to settle."
…
"Congratulations, Young Master!"
"Great news, Young Master!"
"First Young Master, hearty congratulations!"
"All hail First Young Master!"
"Nice catch, Young Master!"
Exclamations and compliments echoed throughout the hallway as Ye Tian Yun headed for the Main Hall.
He was currently in Fang Chen's disguise and had already sent Jun Xie to the other courtyard.
The guards, maids, and other servants congratulated him on his marriage. Even some elders made their rare appearance and wished him luck for the new chapter of his life.
Ye Tian Yun could only smile and thank them till he finally stood in front of the study.
Prime Minister Fang has already returned to the study after announcing 'death sentence to his son'.
"Come in."
Ye Tian Yun pushed the door open upon hearing Prime Minister Fang's call.
"Where were you?" Before Ye Tian Yun could speak, someone asked.
It was Madam Xin.
She was glaring at Ye Tian Yun, beside him was Madam Fang Bai, she too was frowning at Ye Tian Yun.
Ye Tian Yun cleared his throat, "Ahem, I had something urgent which I needed to attend."
"Oh? Something more urgent than your own marriage?" Madan Xin narrowed her eyes.
Ye Tian Yun shrugged, "I didn't know they were here to reestablish the marriage agreement."
"Oh, then what did you think they were here for?"
"For the Thunder Valley." Ye Tian Yun said, "Did they give the Thunder Valley or not? That's the important thing here."
Madam Fang Bai frowned, "What about your marriage? This is a serious matter."
Ye Tian Yun sighed, "What did they say about the Thunder Valley? Please tell me."
"They agreed." Finally, Prime Minister Fang spoke.
"They decided to relent on your demand, but they have only given the valley to us for ten years. The agreement is already signed here."
Prime Minister Fang threw a scroll in Ye Tian Yun's hands.
"This is the agreement; keep it with you when you go to claim the land in the future."
"Finally." Ye Tian Yun smiled, "I feel like I waited very long for this."
Madam Fang Bai shook her head, "Can't you be this happy about your marriage? Tell me, are you not satisfied with Gao Suyin? She's graceful, virtuous, and upstanding. Many men would die to have someone like her as a wife."
Ye Tian Yun frowned, and with a shallow smile, he replied, "You already know, I will participate in the Royal Bloodline Trial. To me, this marriage… is a distraction. I have a lot of unfinished business, and have you guys not considered my age?"
"What's wrong with your age?" Madam Xin frowned, "You'll be seventeen in a few months; there's nothing wrong with that."
[A/n: Ye Tian Yun's current age is 15 years and seven months, and Fang Chen was one year older than him.]
Ye Tian Yun sighed and stood up, "I will take my leave now. I need to prepare myself for the Thunder Valley."
"Hm?" Prime Minister Fang frowned, "you're going to the Thunder Valley?"
"Not now," Ye Tian Yun shook his head, "But I will go soon."
"The marriage is coming in three weeks." Madam Xin shook her head, "You won't be able to return in time."
Ye Tian Yun shrugged, "We may have to postpone the marriage then."
"Fang Chen!" Madam Fang Bai frowned, "You should not take marriage lightly, Don't forget, after you're married, your destiny ties with Gao Suyin, and only in death will you part!"
Ye Tian Yun took a deep breath and sighed, "I never asked for this marriage. She's the one who wishes this to happen. In fact, do you know why they came here to reform the marriage agreement?"
"Why?" The other three had their full attention on Ye Tian Yun.
Earlier, they were surprised by the unexpected arrival of the Gao Clan and were shocked when Clan Head Gao Kang 'pleaded' to reform the marriage agreement and get the alliance back together. He even offered the Thunder Valley as requested by Ye Tian Yun.
When Prime Minister Fang asked what made the latter change his mind, Clan Head Gao simply shrugged off the question, unwilling to answer.
Upon hearing that Ye Tian Yun had something to do with all this, they were curious about what Ye Tian Yun had to say.
"Well, last night, I visited the Gao Clan." Ye Tian Yun spoke.
"What!?" The sentence was like a thunderclap to the three.
"How did you get in?" Prime Minister Fang asked.
"Why did you go there?" Madam Xin asked.
"Did you get into trouble?" Madam Fang Bai asked.
Ye Tian Yun smiled, "No, I didn't personally visit the Gao Clan; that would have been stupid and risky. What I did was send someone who can escape unscathed."
"Who?" Prime Minister Fang asked.
"A friend," Ye Tian Yun smiled, "I will introduce him to you one day. Well, thing to note here is the reason why I sent that person."
"That person has the cure for Gao Long's crippled cultivation. He offered the cure in exchange for the Thunder Valley on a lease."
"Oh?"
"Yes." Fang Yuan nodded, "And never mentioned anything about the marriage."
"This means," Ye Tian Yun added, "It was them trying to reconcile, on their own accord. And since Gao Clan is throwing their daughter into the pit, they should be ready to face the consequences."
"Pit?" Madam Xin frowned, "What do you mean a pit?"
"If the husband doesn't love the wife, that life is no different than from a pit for the wife." Ye Tian Yun said, and without waiting for any response, he left.
"You-!"
"Wait!"
Before they could react, Ye Tian Yun had already left.
He understood the meaning of what he had just said.
No matter how beautiful and virtuous Gao Suyin was, she was not his wife.
Even in Gao Suyin's eyes, she was marrying Fang Chen.
And Ye Tian Yun was the murderer of Fang Chen!
"She doesn't even know my real identity. If she comes to know about me, she will only hate me. I am not here to put myself on a guilt trip."
Ye Tian Yun took a deep breath and headed for his courtyard.